South Africa is eyeing 42.85 per cent growth in number of tourists from India to about 1,00,000 by 2014, especially with growing interest for it as an adventure and holiday destinations.

South Africa is eyeing 42.85 per
cent growth in number of tourists from India to about 1,00,000
by 2014, especially with growing interest for it as an
adventure and holiday destinations.

"In 2011, we saw 70,000 tourists from India which is
expected to be much better this year. With this growing
interest in South Africa as an adventure and holiday
destination we expect about 1,00,000 visitors from India by
2014," Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk told PTI here
yesterday.

The Minister, here for a promotional roadshow, said
India provides a huge opportunity for South African Tourism
which spent USD 2 million in 2011 on promotion and marketing.
"We are focused on India in a big way and are planning
to increase our promotional budget in the country by more than
10 per cent year-on-year."

Earlier, South Africa was focusing only on the metro
cities. However, since last year it has started penetrating
into the tier II cities, Schalkwyk said.

"We see a huge potential in the tier II and III cities
where the spending power is increasing and people are looking
out to travel overseas for holidays. We are planning to move
deeper to the tier II and then III cities to tap this huge
opportunity," he added.

Besides adventure and wildlife, South Africa is also
promoting its cities for their fine restaurants and rich
culture, the Minister added.